Page 10

Chapter 10

The one where Jeff learns patience (maybe?).

The end of December drags on just as slowly as I imagine it will.

I call Jamie every single day, without fail. It becomes as ingrained in my routine as brushing my teeth or pouring my morning coffee. He even starts to expect it, always knowing I’ll call after dinner.

Each call feels like fulfilling a promise, a chance to hear his voice and remind him how much I care about him.

I want him to know I’m not the guy I used to be… the one who pushed him away and acted like I didn’t feel anything. I want him to see how much I like him, how much I think about him, and yeah, maybe even how much I’m trying to be better than the selfish, fucking prick I’ve been for most of my life.

And I want to make one thing crystal clear: I am single. Not just single, but single single. No lingering ties, no hesitation. I’m not just calling to chat; I’m calling to prove something… to him, to myself, to whatever part of me still thinks I don’t deserve this.

Because the truth is, I’m Jamie’s. And maybe, on some level, I always have been.

Finally, the day comes to pick Jamie up at the airport, and I couldn’t be more relieved. I get there early, eager and impatient, ignoring the lane attendant reminding me I can’t park there. Like hell I’m going to miss seeing Jamie the second he steps outside.

I circle the airport three times, each lap testing my patience. But on the fourth pass, I spot him.

Jamie, standing at the curb with his bag slung over his shoulder, looking just as perfect as I remember… no, even better. His blonde hair catches the light from the overhead lamps, a little messy in that effortlessly cool way he always manages to pull off. He’s wearing sweatpants and a hoodie, the kind of casual look that somehow still manages to feel stylish on him, like he belongs in a photoshoot instead of standing on a cold, busy sidewalk.

His brown eyes scan the sea of cars, soft and warm even in the chaos of the pickup lane. When he spots me, his face lights up, and that grin, the one I’ve been picturing every damn night since Thanksgiving, breaks across his face.

My heart races, my stomach flips, and for a moment, I can’t move.

Seeing him in person after weeks of waiting is overwhelming in a way I’m not prepared for. Pictures, calls, and texts don’t even come close to capturing what it feels like to see him standing there, real and within reach.

I’m so caught up in the sight of him, in the way his hoodie stretches just enough over his chest to hint at how fit he still is, even if he doesn’t work out these days, that I completely forget to unlock the car for him.

Jamie knocks on the window, his expression shifting to an amused, slightly exasperated smile as he gestures for me to open the door. I snap out of it, cursing under my breath as I fumble to hit the unlock button.

“Shit,” I mutter, finally unlocking it and leaning over to push the door open for him.

Jamie slides into the passenger seat, tossing his small bag into the back without a second thought. Before I can even get a word out, hell, before I can fully process that he’s sitting right there… he leans in, his hands cradling my face as his lips meet mine in a kiss that is anything but casual.

Oh… Okay. This is really happening, isn’t it?

I freeze, stunned, before melting into the kiss, his warmth and confidence leaving me breathless. His touch is warm, his grip firm yet gentle, and his lips... God, his lips are softer than I remembered, and they move against mine like he’s been waiting for this moment just as much as I have. My mind scrambles to catch up with my body, which is already leaning into him, my hands instinctively finding their way to his hoodie, gripping the fabric like it might keep me anchored in the storm of emotions crashing over me.

“Hi,” I manage to mumble when he finally pulls back, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jamie grins, his face close to mine. “Hi Jeff.”

The music thumps loudly through the car, the bass vibrating the seats. For a second, I wonder if it’s too loud, but the pounding beat seems to amplify the rush of excitement and desire coursing through me. Jamie kisses me again, his hands sliding over my chest and gripping my shirt.

I run my fingers through his hair, relieved he hasn’t cut it since the last time we saw each other. It’s just as soft, just as familiar. God, I’ve missed this.

A loud bang on the hood of the car jolts me back to reality. I nearly jump out of my seat as the lane attendant, red-faced and aggressive, yells at me to move.

“Asshole... I’m going, I’m going!” I shout, slamming my hand on the steering wheel before glancing at Jamie, who is laughing so hard he can barely breathe.

Jamie waves at the attendant with a playful grin, his lips still red from our kiss.

“Thanks for wrecking the fucking moment,” I mutter, throwing the car into gear and pulling out of the lane.

“Aw, come on, chill out. It’s kinda funny,” Jamie teases, brushing his hair back with a grin that makes my heart flutter. He pauses for a moment, glancing around the interior of the car. “This is such a trip.”

“What is?” I ask, my focus flicking between Jamie and the road, trying not to let my speeding give me away.

“Being in your car,” he says, still smiling, his brown eyes scanning every detail.

I blink, momentarily thrown. “Sorry, what...?”

Jamie bends over, laughing so hard he slaps my arm, the sound bubbling out of him like he can’t contain it. “Your car, Jeff,” he says through his laughter. “I haven’t sat in this car in forever. It’s like stepping back in time. Do you realize how crazy this is for me?”

He leans forward, his fingers grazing the dashboard as he takes it all in. His laugh softens into something more nostalgic, his expression lingering on the old CD booklet stuffed into the dash.

“Man, you even still have these?” he asks, flipping it open and pulling out a scratched jewel case with a mix CD label scrawled in Sharpie. “Didn’t I make this for you in high school?”

My chest tightens at the memory. “Yeah. It’s, uh... classic.”

Jamie shakes his head, chuckling as he slips the case back into the booklet. “Classic, huh? That’s one way of saying ‘embarrassing.’”

I can’t help but smile, the way his voice lights up with nostalgia making my chest ache in the best way. Watching him soak in the car’s familiar, worn-down details feels like seeing a part of our past come alive again… one I’d been too stupid to appreciate back then.

The last time Jamie was in my passenger seat flashes through my mind, uninvited. That day. The photos. The moment I decided to cut him out of my life instead of dealing with my own shit. I cringe at the memory, my chest tightening.

Jamie looks happier now, flipping through the old CDs and making jokes. I watch him out of the corner of my eye, unable to stop the rush of guilt. How has it taken me this long to realize how much he means to me? How could I have been so goddamn blind for so long, stuck in so much denial?

Jamie has consumed my world over the past month. I think about him constantly—at work, before bed when I call, in the shower... I’m completely addicted to him, and seeing him now, sitting in my car, feels like everything I’ve been missing is finally right in front of me.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Jamie asks, raising an eyebrow, his voice teasing.

Shit. How long have I been staring?

I flip him off, trying to cover my embarrassment. Jamie smirks, grabbing my hand and kissing it gently.

“Thanks for picking me up,” he says softly, his voice carrying just enough sincerity to make my chest ache. God, he’s ruining me. “I’ve heard a lot about how driving out to this airport sucks.”

“Of course, it’s no problem,” I reply, giving his hand a quick squeeze before letting it drop back to my lap.

The freeway stretches out ahead of us, but my mind is nowhere near the road. All I can think about is Jamie… his laugh, the way his knee keeps brushing against mine, the soft hum of his voice as he sings along to the radio.

After what feels like an eternity weaving through traffic, we finally pull up to my apartment. The moment the car’s in park, my nerves kick in again. My hands feel clumsy as I grab my keys and head to the door, Jamie following close behind.

I fumble with the key, cursing under my breath when it slips from my fingers and hits the ground. “Shit.”

“Nice,” Jamie says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He bites his bottom lip to keep from laughing, but the amused sparkle in his eyes is impossible to miss.

I glare at him as I scoop up the key and shove it into the lock. “Shut up.”

“Sure,” he replies, biting back a grin that only grows wider when I finally manage to push the door open.

He steps inside, his bag slung over one shoulder, and pauses just past the doorway. His gaze sweeps the room slowly, taking everything in with a quiet curiosity that makes my chest tighten. He moves casually, but there’s something about the way his eyes linger on the little details—the framed photos on the shelf, the half-folded blanket on the couch—that makes me feel like I’m under a spotlight.

Insecurity creeps in immediately, gnawing at me. Does it look too plain? Too messy? I should’ve cleaned more.

“I like your place,” Jamie says, his tone warm and genuine as his gaze finally lands back on me.

I cringe internally, waving him off. "Nah... Don’t lie, dude. Your place is way cooler."

"Well..." Jamie raises an eyebrow, smirking as he walks towards my room. "Money goes further in Nevada."

"...Apparently," I reply, laughing as he slaps me on the chest. I rub the spot where he smacked me, still grinning.

"Shut up, Jeff. Where am I staying?" Jamie asks, adjusting the bag on his shoulder. For a second, his expression shifts, like he’s unsure about something.

"You’re staying in my bed," I say with a grin, pointing toward the bedroom. The second the words leave my mouth, Jamie’s face turns bright red, and I bite back a laugh.

"Relax, I’ll sleep on the sofa," I add, giving him a quick pinch to his side. He lets out a nervous laugh and playfully slaps my hand away, but still frowns.

"Wait... Am I seriously on the couch? Do you owe me a hundred bucks?" Jamie’s tone is playful, but there’s a spark in his eyes that feels like he’s guarding himself for disappointment.

"Are you fucking kidding me? You owe me a hundred… and I want it in twenties," I shoot back, laughing as I nudge his shoulder lightly.

Jamie smirks and tosses his bag onto the bed before turning back to me. "Nah, no way… I don’t believe you. How do I know you’re telling the truth?"

A flicker of irritation hits me. I know he’s joking, but it still gets under my skin. Is it really so hard to believe I’ve been good? Doesn’t he know by now how much I’ve been looking forward to this? How serious I am about him?

"I guess it depends on what kind of guy you think I am," I say, my tone more serious than I mean it to be.

Jamie pauses, giving me a curious look as he casually grabs a beer from the fridge. "What do you mean?"

"You really think I couldn’t go a month without messing around, knowing you’d be here?" I can’t stop the words spilling out. "Jamie, I haven’t been with anyone… I haven’t done anything except work my nine to five, and talk to you and hang with Lucy. If I screwed up, you don’t think I’d have told you? You seriously have no idea—"

"Okay, okay, I believe you," Jamie interrupts, his smile softening. His cheeks flush pink, probably because I’m word vomiting like I always do when I’m nervous, and the tension in my chest eases just a little.

I grin, grabbing the cold beer from his hand and setting it on the counter before stepping closer to him. There’s barely any space between us now. I love catching him off guard… it doesn’t happen as often as it used to, but when it does, it’s totally fucking worth it.

"Jamie, you’re so worth waiting for," I say, the words spilling out before I can stop them.

His face flushes even deeper, and he hugs me… probably to hide his reaction. Jamie’s never been one to blush easily, and I’m pretty sure he’s setting a record today. I decide not to tease him about it, instead wrapping my arms around his shoulders and pulling him closer.

I love the way his arms fit snugly around my waist, his hold firm but gentle, like he’s afraid to let go. His head rests against my chest, and I can feel the soft strands of his hair brushing against my neck, the warmth of his breath through my shirt. It feels so natural, so right, like this is where he’s meant to be.

His body molds perfectly against mine, his heartbeat steady and calming, echoing against my own. The scent of him I missed so much since the last time I saw him—clean, warm, unmistakably Jamie—fills the space between us, grounding me.

It makes me feel invincible, like I could take on anything as long as he’s here. Like I could carry the weight of the world if it meant keeping him this close.

"Just so you know, you’re not allowed to leave my apartment now," I murmur into his hair. “Like… ever. You’re trapped here.”

Jamie laughs softly against my chest, "Yeah, sure..."

I kiss the top of his head, inhaling the clean, warm scent of him. God, I probably seem like a total creep, but I can’t help it.

Jamie steps back, fumbling with his back pocket before pulling out his wallet. He flips it open, sifting through a handful of cash.

"What the hell are you doing?" I ask, laughing as I watch him.

When it hits me, I shake my head. "Dude, stop. You don’t actually have to give me a hundred bucks."

"A bet’s a bet," Jamie insists, still going through his wallet.

"Can I trade then?" I ask, grinning.

Jamie looks up, confused. "Trade what?"

"My prize," I say, my voice dropping just enough to make it teasing as I let my gaze trail over him suggestively. His face flushes again, a deep, satisfying red that only makes him look more endearing. Holy shit, I’m making him set a record. The blush creeps all the way to his ears, and I can’t stop the grin spreading across my face at how adorably flustered he looks.

He stuffs his wallet back into his pocket, shaking his head like he’s trying to brush off the moment. "I’m not a prize, Jeff. Stop..."

"Yeah, you are," I reply, tugging him closer by the waistband of his sweats, the movement slow and deliberate.

"Stop," Jamie laughs, shoving me away with a playful push, his hands lingering on my chest for just a second too long before he backs off.

He turns and grabs another beer from the fridge, the cool metal glinting under the light as he hands it over to me.

"You know," he says, popping the tab on his own can, "I’m not like that."

"Like what?" I ask, cracking open the beer, watching as his expression shifts into that familiar mix of teasing and seriousness that always gets to me.

“You’re not even going to take me out to dinner first? At least wine and dine me before trying to get my pants off, Jeff," Jamie says, his voice dripping with mock indignation, but the smirk playing at his lips betrays him.

I scowl playfully, taking a sip of my beer. The carbonation fizzes against my tongue, but I barely notice it… I’m too busy staring at the way his smirk tugs at the corners of his mouth. "Wow," I deadpan.

"What?!" Jamie laughs, his eyes lighting up with pure amusement as he watches me try to keep my cool.

"Okay, okay," I say, shaking my head between sips. "I’ll wine and dine you. Is there anything else your little heart desires before you find out where I’d begin with you?"

Jamie tugs at his ear, his face still tinged pink, and hesitates for a second before finally muttering, "No."

I lean back against the counter, smirking. "This wasn’t originally part of the bet, and I feel fucking cheated. Just so you know."

Jamie feigns surprise, his hand flying to his chest dramatically. "I just can’t believe you actually kept your pants on for me."

The tables turn instantly. My face burns as the words sink in. "Shut up, asshole," I blurt out, but the heat creeping up my neck gives me away.

Jamie bursts into laughter, the sound warm and unrestrained, echoing through the room as I try to recover what little dignity I have left.

Shaking my head, I pull out my phone, grabbing his hand and guiding him over to the couch. He follows, settling in beside me, his beer in hand.

"What are you doing?" he asks, raising an eyebrow, his voice full of playful suspicion.

"Making a dinner reservation somewhere fancy," I say, scrolling through options. "Since apparently, you’re high maintenance these days."

Jamie grins, the kind of grin that lights up his whole face, and I have to bite back my own smile.

The line connects, and someone answers on the other end. I quickly book us a reservation at six for a place I know he’ll love. It’s pricier than I’d usually go for, but as I glance at Jamie, lounging next to me and giving me that look… soft, amused, and full of something that makes me feel more than I’ve felt in so long. I know it’s worth it.

For Jamie, I’d do absolutely anything.